Sixteen groups in Naivasha, Kenya have received a total of Sh2.3 million under the eighth phase of the Uwezo Fund. The fund aims to expand enterprises and improve livelihoods. Four groups accessed the Fund for the first time, while the remaining beneficiaries received additional financing after demonstrating their ability to utilize and repay previous allocations. This disbursement brings the total amount received by Naivasha to over Sh44 million since the Fund's establishment in 2014.
According to Kezia Mwaura, Constituency Uwezo Fund Management Committee Secretary, Naivasha has registered 361 new groups, with over 150 groups currently revolving the Fund. Table banking is the most common activity among beneficiary groups, followed by agriculture and small businesses. Youth groups are mainly engaged in transport activities, particularly boda boda operations. Mwaura stated that the Fund has been instrumental in supporting enterprise development in the constituency.
One of the new beneficiaries, 2020 Starters, a 15-member group, previously relied on table banking and members' savings. Group member Francis Muchoki said they had accumulated about Sh100,000 through savings and charged 10 per cent interest on loans advanced through their table banking scheme. The group will use its Uwezo Fund allocation to strengthen its table banking activities and increase the amount available for members to borrow.
Bridge of Hope, a 33-member group, received Sh100,000 in its latest allocation, marking the group's second time receiving support from the Fund. Group member Johnson Kimaru said the members planned to use the new funding to construct a hall on their land, which will be used for group meetings and hired out for conferences and other functions to generate additional income. The group has previously received Sh50,000, which it used to complete the purchase of a parcel of land.
Mahigaini Group, a repeat beneficiary, is accessing the Fund for the third time after receiving Sh100,000 in the first phase and Sh200,000 in the second phase. Evans Mwangi, a member of the group, said it mainly engages in poultry farming and organic agriculture, while also operating a table banking scheme. The group has now received Sh360,000, the highest allocation among the 16 groups in the latest disbursement.
Despite the progress made by some groups, Mwaura said loan repayment remained a challenge, with Naivasha's overall repayment rate currently standing at 42 per cent. She urged beneficiaries to honour their repayment obligations, noting that the Uwezo Fund is a revolving facility and that repayments enable other groups to access financing. Mwaura also announced plans to introduce an online registration and application process to improve the management and repayment of loans.
Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara commended groups that had performed well and encouraged beneficiaries to use the funds for productive activities. Kihara acknowledged the economic challenges facing many groups but urged beneficiaries to repay their loans to enable other groups seeking support to benefit from the Fund. She also encouraged groups to adopt constitutions with clear accountability measures for members who default on their obligations. The Uwezo Fund has disbursed Sh8.4 billion to 84,921 groups across all 290 constituencies since its inception in the 2013/2014 financial year.
Key points
- The Uwezo Fund has disbursed Sh8.4 billion to 84,921 groups across all 290 constituencies since its inception in the 2013/2014 financial year.
- Naivasha has received more than Sh44 million through the Fund since its establishment in 2014.
- The Fund aims to expand access to affordable finance for women, youth, and persons with disabilities while supporting enterprise development at the constituency level.
